Policing Students Visit the London City of Policing!

Year 1 Diploma of Policing students got hands-on experience at the Old Baily Court and the City of London Police.

Year 1 Diploma of Policing students got hands-on experience at the Old Baily Court and the City of London Police. 

Alpha and Bravo Teams travelled into London where they attended the City of London Police Station. While there the students had the chance to interact with sworn Police Students who were currently undergoing their official training. It was a valuable insight for the South Essex Colleges Group students who were able to ask, and be asked questions about their chosen career path. 
 
The students were taken on a behind the scenes tour of the Old Bailey Court where they were shown the history of the building with examples of ‘Dead Mans Walk’ where convicted murderers were taken to be hung for their crimes and sat in the dock of Number 1 Court where some of England's most infamous criminals were on trial and sentenced. Students learned about an incident in the past  in which IRA terrorists exploded a bomb outside of the court with a single piece of glass from the shattered windows imbedded in the concrete wall. The glass was left there as an ongoing symbol to the ever present threat against the UK legal system.

After the tour the students were spoken to by the Armed Response Units for the City of London Police. They were told about the training and duties of this unit, shown equipment and under strict guidance and instruction, handled and wore different types of equipment ranging from H&K semi-automatic rifles, Glock 19 semi-automatic pistols, tasers, ballistic vests, shields, gas masks and helmets. The students were also able to inspect the Armed Response Vehicle that was fully loaded and on standby. The officers from this unit spoke with, and interacted with the students assisting with any questions. 
 
The entire visit was offered due to the networking of South Essex Colleges Group staff who are experts in their possessional field. Police Detective Andy Jackson from City of London said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to work with these students who are the Police Force’s future. Our Learning and Development teams are very eager to become actively involved with the preparation of these young people in policing.”
 
Diploma of Policing Course Team Leader, Lee McCarthy, said: “This course is the course to do if you want that extra edge into your policing career. The course involves academic work, physical fitness training, drill, learning about leadership, strong focuses on ethics, morals, integrity, confidence building and discipline. This course has doubled with student participants in its second year, with interest for next year already at high levels. Potential students should attend the College open evenings where they can find out more and provided they meet entry requirements and expectations, reserve a place on this course.”

 South Essex Colleges Group staff are constantly engaging with and forming working partnerships with City of London and Essex Police to offer students that extra preparation for a career in Policing.